Qatar's prime minister, who is acting as a mediator in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, suggested on Wednesday that the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh could jeopardize efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, reported "Reuters".
"Political assassinations and continued attacks on civilians in Gaza while negotiations continue make us ask how can mediation succeed when one side kills the other side's negotiator?" Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani wrote in X.
"Peace needs serious partners and a global stance against disregard for human life."
Political assassinations & continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue leads us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side? Peace needs serious partners & a global stance against the disregard for human life.
— محمد بن عبدالرحمن (@MBA_AlThani_) July 31, 2024
Qatar, Egypt and the United States have repeatedly tried to secure a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, where Israeli forces have killed more than 39,000 Palestinians since Hamas-led militants attacked Israel in October. killing 1200 people.
The final agreement was complicated by changes introduced by Israel.
The leader of "Hamas" Ismail Haniya, who lived primarily in Qatar, was killed in the early hours of the day in Iran, sparking fears of a wider escalation in a region rocked by Israel's war in Gaza and the worsening conflict in Lebanon.
Qatar strongly condemned the killing in Tehran, saying it was a dangerous escalation.